Vol. 5 Num 683 Mon. May 01, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Fuel crisis sends chill down nation's spine Contrary to the government claim of no petroleum shortage, the country yesterday suffered an acute fuel oil crisis, with many petrol pumps dried up and closed, and vehicles queuing up at the few openones.   Tata ups gas price in its revised investment offer Indian conglomerate Tata group yesterday proposed higher gas price and some new package benefits in its revised proposal for investment of US$3 billion.   Essentials turn 30pc pricey in last week The prices of essentials have shot up an unusual 20-30 per cent in the last week, leaving the people of low and fixed income groups grappling with the challenge mightier than they can cope with.   Mysterious blaze in B Chy's house A mysterious fire in the Baridhara house of former president AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday morning gutted cash and valuables in three rooms, but Chowdhury and his family including his lawmaker son   Govt to break rules, give 20pc advance The cabinet committee on economic affairs yesterday approved 20 per cent advance payment to the contractors of four railway projects in violation of the government's own policy.   Opposition lays siege to power offices Some 150 people were injured in a clash between BNP and Awami League activists in Sirajganj yesterday as the AL-led 14-party opposition combine observed "Electricity Day" across the country demandinguninterrupted   Power, water supply, river transport in near collapse Absence of rainfall for the last couple of months in Rangamati has culminated in hampering power generation in Karnaphuly Hydroelectric Project (KHP), suspension of communication by water transport between   Fuel crisis continues...   May Day today Bangladesh joins world community to observe the historic May Day today reaffirming solidarity with international labour movement for establishing socioeconomic rights of the workers.   Six core areas identified for vision paper The Nagorik Committee 2006, a civil society body campaigning for clean candidates, will meet leaders of the main political parties in course of time and discuss suggestions made by the people at various   SC rejects govt plea for stay on HC verdict The Supreme Court yesterday turned down the government plea for staying the operation of a High Court verdict that declared "illegal and unconstitutional" the provision of minister-in-charge for districts.   Unusual price hike...   Security guards loot city jewellery shop Private security guards tasked with checking theft and robbery have themselves allegedly looted gold ornaments worth around Tk 45 lakh and Tk 21,231 in cash breaking open a jewellery shop at Eastern Plus   Indigenous people rally against open pit mining plan If the government agrees to implement open pit method for mining coal at Phulbari, a Kansat like situation will occur there, warned Chairman of Parbatya Chattagram Adibashi Parishad Santu Larma.   Asia to host 2011 World Cup cricket Asia have beaten a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand for the right to host the 2011 Cricket World Cup.   Govt bans scrapping Bahamian toxic ship The government issued a temporary order Saturday refusing to allow scrapping of an oil tanker which, according to Greenpeace, contains toxic materials.   HC bench skips passing order in writ challenging govt inaction A High Court bench yesterday declined to pass any order in a writ petition filed challenging the government's inaction in arresting the convicted accused in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case.   Obaidul Quader urges Bhuiyan to sit with Jalil Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday urged BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan to sit with AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil to discuss the reform agenda.   Karwan Bazar business leader gunned down Unidentified criminals gunned down a business leader at city's Karwan Bazar yesterday afternoon.   Mastermind in Mediterranean boat tragedy held in Morocco In a major breakthrough in resisting human trafficking, the Moroccan security forces arrested four Bangladeshis of a transnational racket, including its kingpin, who were also responsible for the recent   Computer engineer knifed to death Three local youths beat and knifed a computer engineer to death at Jigatola in the city last night for refusing to evict one of his tenants, a woman, as desired by one of the youths.   Industrial waste...   3 get death for rape, murder A Barisal court handed three youths double death sentences in connection with the killing of Tania Akter, 17, after abducting and raping her in Dashmina in Patuakhali.   British Foreign Secretary Straw due May 16 British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is likely to visit Bangladesh on May 16 on a one-day goodwill visit.   Bangladeshi casualties identified The External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed the identities of five people killed in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Friday.   Koirala urges Maoists to renounce violence Nepal's new premier urged Maoist rebels yesterday to renounce violence, making the appeal in his first parliamentary speech after being sworn in by a monarch whose power he has promised to curb. Business ADB for raising power tariff ADB Country Director in Bangladesh Hua Du has stressed the need for raising power tariff, saying present rate is the lowest not only in South Asia but also in the Asia Pacific.   Forge partnership to serve world market British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury yesterday urged the Bangladeshi and British companies to forge partnership not merely for the markets in the two countries, but also to serve the   ICC-B seeks pragmatic, not populist budget The International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICC-B) has said the government should go for more pragmatic approach in its budgetary measures instead of presenting a populist budget to rejuvenate the   Cyber fair ends on a high The first-ever cyber fair at Bhasani Novo Theatre in Dhaka ended yesterday amid huge response from visitors.   ICB to issue Tk 120cr Acropetal Textiles debentures Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) will issue debentures worth Tk 120 crore in favour of Acropetal Textiles Ltd (ATL).   Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia seal anti-US trade deal The leftist leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia signed a trade agreement Saturday to counter a US-led drive to forge a Pan-American free trade area.   Dutch-Bangla Bank okays 25pc cash dividend Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd has declared a 25 per cent cash dividend for its shareholders for the year 2005.   Renaissance Aviation's summer tour packages Renaissance Aviation Services Ltd (RASL), the general sales agent (GSA) of Air Mauritius, Egypt Air, Garuda Indonesia and South African Airways, on Saturday announced its summer tour packages and fares   India's Jet Airways yearly profit up 15pc Jet Airways, India's largest private airline, said Saturday full-year net earnings rose 15 percent on air-traffic growth and profit from the sale and leaseback of planes. Sports Cricket: Dream come true: Mahbub In whatever sport, hosting the World Cup is a dream opportunity for any country.   Football: Bits and Bobs Crocked stars leave England sweating Reuters, London England's World Cup attacking options were in disarray on Sunday with Wayne Rooney in danger of missing the whole tournament   Cricket: Amla, Kallis' milestones Hashim Amla hit a maiden Test century as South Africa made virtually certain of earning a draw on the fourth day of the second Test against New Zealand at Newlands Sunday.   Football: Achmita reach zonal final Achmita George Institute reached the Mymensingh zone final when they defeated Hironpur High School by 3-2 margin in the banglalink tiger trophy National School Football tournament at the Mymensingh District   Cricket: StanChart Nat'l School Cricket Sourav Smriti High School won a thriller against National Bangla High School by just one run to move into the Dhaka Metro semifinals of the Standard Chartered Young Tigers National School Cricket tournament   Cricket: Arif bags 5 Arif Hossain helped Maroon to a 96-run first innings lead against Navy Blue on the second day in the BCB BRAC Bank Academy Cup tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla cricket stadium at Mirpur yesterday.   Cricket: WI struggle to victory West Indies made a mountain out of a molehill before prevailing by five wickets in the opening one-day international against Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Antigua Recreation Ground.   Cricket: Warne must decide soon Spin wizard Shane Warne needs to make a decision quickly if he plans to return to one-day cricket in time for next year's World Cup, Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on Sunday.   Football: Requiem for Rooney Manchester United's Wayne Rooney dominated Sunday's English press which viewed the fracture of the metatarsal bone in his right foot as a potentially fatal blow to England's World Cup chances.   Football: Bayern win German Cup A Claudio Pizarro header earned Bayern Munich a 1-0 German Cup final victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday to put them firmly on course for a second consecutive league and cup double.   Football: Barca on the verge Barcelona made hard work of beating struggling Cadiz but their 1-0 victory on Saturday against the second-bottom team in the Spanish first division took them to the verge of being crowned champions.   Football: Why keep a second one Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said Saturday he threw his English Premiership winner's medal to the Blues fans because he had no need for a second one in his collection.   Cricket: Lara calls for better show Brian Lara began his third spell in charge of the West Indies by hitting the winning six to beat Zimbabwe on Saturday but called for a drastic improvement from his team.   Cricket: Harbhajan on Greg's side India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has said that his relationship with Greg Chappell has improved considerably and has acknowledged the coach's role in India's recent success.   Football: Where are Al Muharraq? Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is in dark about Al Muharraq as the Bahraini club did not reach Dhaka as per schedule Sunday to play their AFC Cup away match against Brothers Union till this report   Football: PSG clinch French Cup Paris Saint Germain won the French Cup for the seventh time with a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Marseille on Saturday but the showpiece was scarred by fighting between fans outside the Stade de France.   Cricket: We're on right track: Ponting Australia's cricketers are on track to regain the Ashes from England in the Test series beginning later this year, captain Ricky Ponting said on Sunday ahead of a five-month break. Metropolitan Play constructive role Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday urged trade union leaders to play more constructive role in line with national and international realities to help industrialisation, increase productivity and establish   'Women deprived of rights in absence of specific law' In absence of specific law against domestic violence women are deprived of their rights in the society, said the speakers at a discussion yesterday.   Stackpole dismisses any plan of US military base in the bay US General (retd.) Henry C Stackpole, who led a massive rescue mission following a catastrophic cyclone in Chittagong in 1991, dismissed any plan of the United States to set up a marine unit or base on the Bay of Bengal or its offshore islands.   Free, fair election a prerequisite for strengthening democracy Lt Gen (Retd) Henry C Stackpole yesterday said a free and fair election is a prerequisite for strengthening democracy of a country.   Introduce TV-based politics: B Chy Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday called for introducing TV-based politics for the greater interest of people.   Tribute paid to Nasreen Huq Women's and human rights activists and civil society members yesterday paid tribute to the memory of Nasreen Pervin Huq, country director of ActionAid.   Charges not framed against 5 JMB men A Dhaka court could not frame charges against five banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members in two cases as one of them were not produced before it yesterday.   Noor, Maya, Nanak, Azam get anticipatory bail The High Court yesterday granted anticipatory bail to 10 Awami League leaders and workers, including lawmakers Asaduz-zaman Noor and Mirza Azam, in an arson attack case filed by the government.   20 injured as Shibir clashes with BCL At least 20 persons were injured, 10 among them seriously, in sporadic clashes between activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on Chandpur Government College campus yesterday.   Bulbul, Jalil Bhuyian elected president, secy general of BFUJ Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul of the daily Sangbad and Abdul Jalil Bhuyian of The Daily Star have been elected president and secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) for 2006-2008,says   One gets 37 years in arms case A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a man to 37 years' rigorous imprisonment for possessing illegal arms and ammunition.   Prof Husna Banu passes away Prof Dr Husna Banu, eminent educationist, writer, Rabindra Sangeet singer and former teacher of Home Economics College, passed away due to cardiac arrest yesterday at the age of 81.   Sechchasebok Dal activist killed in N'ganj A Sechchasebok Dal activist was stabbed to death by his rivals near Ahsan Ullah Super Market at Murapara Market under Sonargaon upazila of the district on Saturday.   Khaleda greets Koirala Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday felicitated Girija Prasad Koirala for his appointment as Prime Minister of Nepal.   Kibria's 75th birth anniversary today Today is the 75th birth anniversary of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria. Kibria, also an Awami League leader, was killed in a grenade attack in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.   DU student not allowed to sit for exams Dhaka University (DU) authorities on Saturday did not allow a student to sit for an examination mistaking him for an expelled student.   Gen Stackpole calls on army chief Former US Marine Task Force Commander Lt Gen (retd) Henry C Stackpole paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Moeen U Ahmed at his office in the city yesterday.   1.5 kg heroin worth Tk 1.5 crore seized in city The members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) seized 1.5 kg heroin worth around Tk 1.5 crore and arrested a drug trader raiding a hotel at Fakirerpool in the city's Motijheel area yesterday.   JCD slams BCL for calling strikes Leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of ruling BNP, slammed Awami League (AL) and its student front Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) for calling hartals and student strikes at educational   Tornado hits Patuakhali villages: 50 houses damaged Over 50 houses, one school and a mosque, were damaged in two villages in Patuakhali as a powerful tornado hit the area yesterday afternoon.   Former actor commits suicide A former film actor committed suicide due to family dispute on Saturday night in the city's Mirpur area.   World Press Freedom Day on May 3 Journalists across the world will observe the World Press Freedom Day on May 3 to protest against persecution and harassment of their colleagues and closure of news media organisations in many countries.   DUJ discussion on May Day today Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) will hold a discussion meeting commemorating the historic May Day at the union office at the Jatiya Press Club in the city at 11:00am today.   2nd raffle draw of 'Coca-Cola Fun Island' held The second raffle draw of "Coca-Cola Fun Island" under the Crown Programme 2006 was held on Saturday at Tabani Beverage Company Ltd under the guidance of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust, says a press National Lowest ever water flow in Padma Bangladesh has received the lowest ever quantity of water in the Padma this year.   Handicraft making has changed their lifestyle Handicrafts and fashionable dresses produced mostly by women in six villages in Pakundia upazila in Kishoreganj are exported to some countries in Middle East and to the USA.   Construction of a much-awaited embankment starts in Jessore The Water Development Board (WDB) has at last started construction of an embankment of Beel Khuksia in Jessore that will benefit over five lakh people in five upazilas in the district and one upazilain   No decision yet to procure or install seismograph The work on setting up four sophisticated seismic observatories in Sylhet, Chittagong, Rangpur and Gazipur to monitor possible earthquake has run into snags again.   Illegal pathological labs mushroom in Rangamati Unauthorised pathological laboratories and disgnostic centres that mushroomed in Rangamati hill town are doing brisk business in the last few years at the cost of patients.   Human chain protesting Ctg attack on journos Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela, Rangamati unit, organised a "human chain" near the Deputy Commissioner's office yesterday morning protesting recent police attack on journalists at Chittagong Stadium.   Shrimp looted in Satkhira Shrimp and other fishes worth Tk 1.5 lakh were looted from a fish farm allegedly by a group of leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal (JJD) Saturday at village Patharghata in Sadar upazila, police said.   15 get life for murder in Moulvibazar Fifteen people were sentenced to life imprisonment Sunday in a murder case of Baralekha upazila of the district.   Khulna Divisional Press Club Federation formed A new federation of press clubs styled 'Khulna Divisional Press Club Federation (KDPCF)' was formed at a meeting held here yesterday.   Mother, child killed after gangrape A housewife and her six-year-old child were killed allegedly after gangrape on Thursday night at village Rumaliyarchara here. Point-Counterpoint The corruption epidemic Corruption is a disease. The more you have, still more you go for -- a crazy and evil phenomenon indeed! Corruption appears to be more rampant at the higher level of income and political power.   The black episodes of black money The proverbial saying: money is the root of all evil perhaps has not been more poignantly exposed anywhere in the world than Bangladesh, so far as black money is concerned.   Little Sister Some words for Nasreen Words are the currency of the academic life, Words carefully crafted, And endlessly redrafted. Yet when I want to talk about you, About your life, your death, our loss, I am lost for words.   A patriot passes away When she spent a summer with me in 1982, Houston was in a deep recession. She had come to help me through my separation from first wife and my loss of job during the downturn of early '80's.   A lost leader When a friend called me the other night to inform me the fatal accident of Nasreen Haque I was dismayed. Culture Satyajit Ray: Remembering the doyen Talking about the great late Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, his famous Japanese counterpart Akira Kurosawa said, "The quiet but deep observation, understanding and love of the human race, which are characteristic   International Dance Day celebrated The International Theatre Institute (ITI, UNESCO) spearheads the annual celebration of International Dance Day on April 29.   "Ek shagor rokter binimoye" stands 5th According to BBC's survey of the "greatest Bangla songs of all times", Ek shagor rokter binimoye Banglar swadhinata anley jara...came 5th.   May Day Special programmes To observe the historic May Day, day-long colourful programmes will be held at Central Shaheed Minar, Muktangon and Fantasy Kingdom. International Tigers raid camps of renegade rebels Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels said they raided camps belonging to renegade ex-rebels the Karuna group in army territory yesterday, killing 20 as war fears remain high after a suicide bombing and military   Iran warns against radical measures Iran battled yesterday to head off international action following its refusal to halt its disputed nuclear drive, promising "maximum cooperation" if it manages to avoid the UN Security Council.   US, Iraqi forces kill 20 insurgents American and Iraqi forces have killed more than 20 insurgents during raids in areas used by militants to stage attacks in Baghdad, the US military said yesterday.   Israel changes route of West Bank barrier Israel's Cabinet yesterday voted to modify the route of its West Bank separation barrier to put thousands of Palestinians on the "Palestinian" side of the enclosure, officials said.   Afghan, coalition troops kill 11 militants Afghan troops backed by coalition forces battled Taliban forces across volatile southern Afghanistan, killing 11 insurgents after militants killed three policemen and wounded another in an ambush.   Cyclone Mala kills one in Myanmar A woman was killed and 21 people were injured when a cyclone struck a town outside Myanmar's capital Yangon, state media reported yesterday.   US rhetoric on Iran resembles pre-Iraq war rumblings Alarm bells over an emerging nuclear threat in the Gulf, UN credibility at stake, a fervent call to a coalition of the willing: the United States has been there before.   Kidnapped Indian found beheaded in Afghanistan A kidnapped Indian telecommunications engineer was found beheaded in southern Afghanistan on Sunday and the Taliban said they had killed him. The man and his Afghan driver were kidnapped on Friday.   Pak nuclear official freed A top Pakistani nuclear official detained nearly two years ago in a probe into a proliferation network run by disgraced scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan had been freed, a military spokesman said yesterday.   Tens of thousands join anti-war protest in NY Tens of thousands of protesters marched Saturday through lower Manhattan to demand an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, just hours after this month's death toll reached 70.   Sudan accepts AU peace plan for Darfur The Sudanese government accepted the African Union's proposal for peace in Darfur yesterday, a government statement said. Editorial Editorial: Electoral roll concerns One gleans two impressions from the recent newspaper reports on preparation of a draft voter list set to be announced soon. One, there is likely to be 1.   Editorial: Labour rights day May Day bears special significance in the context of Bangladesh since much remains to be done in improving the lot of our working people, especially the industrial and service sector labour, comparedto   Bush's travails Shortly before the first Gulf war, recently retired chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William Crowe, warned his successor, General Colin Powell in words that resonate even today.   A bridge too near Those who play bridge know that there are two routes to success.   Twin-faced crisis in Middle East People talk of two crises in the Middle East: they take the Iranian crisis to be most ominous and tend to regard it as self-contained and independent. Letters to Editor Causes of poverty in Bangladesh In response to the letter "Why Are We Poor?" by Miraz Ahmed (April 5) I want to say something about poverty in Bangladesh, especially the reasons behind it.   Fuel prices A bunch of economists, led by Dr. Wahiduddun Mahmud, joined in the chorus of IMF, World Bank and ADP and suggested a steep rise in the price of fuel (New Age, 9 April 2006).This is total bunk to me.   How is it possible? The prime minister said that she & her government didn't know about the existence of Islamic militants in Bangladesh before August 17, 2005.   BBC debate on Bangladesh The media and people concerned were so much enthusiastic to acclaim Steven Sackur ( famous for 'Hard Talk') was in Bangladesh to arrange a debate on the democracy in the country.   Kuakata fishermen need lighthouse I sailed out with a few fishermen into the Bay, and they said that a lighthouse would make a great deal of difference.   Our education There are many well-known proverbs on education. Among those one is -- education is the backbone of a nation.   When we commit it! Your paper reported (April 14), quote: "Policemen, armed and wearing boots, entered the mosque and arrested four persons.   What are they doing? What are the ministers and MPs doing? Do they at all think deeply for their motherland? Or they simply come to power to meet their own needs? Are they really committed to fulfilling their promises that   Finding clean candidates Much is being said and written about clean candidates in our news media and in various meetings and seminars.   Stranger than fiction Cover story of the Time, Asian edition of April 10, 2006, has again proved the axiom "Truth is Stranger than Fiction". Mr.   Scarcity of English newspapers Nowadays everything is undergoing change with the advancement of science and technology.   Allah/Khoda Hafez This is in reference to the letter "Allah Hafez" by Moniruddun Ahmed. Traditions and customs are the basis of most of our behaviours, interpersonal interactions as well as laws. Star City Wasa delays drive to free encroached canals The city dwellers continue to suffer from rainwater logging as the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) is yet to reclaim the canals from land grabbers and illegal occupants to restore their natural   Shopkeepers still paying toll Although the business leaders in New Market area said they have resolved the crisis over rampant extortion in the area through negotiation with the student leaders of Dhaka College, the shopkeepers said   Changing with the way of time Rayerbazar, once a kumar para (potters colony in Bangla), now bears little signs of its glorious past.   Spending a day with the mobile court Screaming policemen ready to step onboard a vehicle and the final meeting of the magistrate with the Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI) authorities opens the screen to the scene before every   Zoo plans a new phase in wildlife education Dhaka Zoo plans to open an education centre on its premises with the view to educate and entertain children, and create an awareness of wildlife conservation among the visitors.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. 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